UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa: Eligibility, Requirements & How to Apply

Are you caring for an elderly parent or disabled family member who needs to join you in the UK? The Adult Dependent Relative visa might be the solution your family has been searching for. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about bringing your loved ones to the UK when they can’t manage independently.

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What is an Adult Dependent Relative Visa?

An Adult Dependent Relative visa allows British citizens and UK residents to bring family members who need long-term care to live with them permanently. Unlike other family visas, this route recognises that some relatives simply cannot receive adequate care in their home country, regardless of financial support.

The visa falls under the UK’s family immigration system and can lead to immediate settlement for qualifying applicants. However, it’s one of the most challenging visa categories to secure, with strict requirements designed to ensure only genuine cases succeed.

Who can apply?

• Parents (aged 18 or over)
• Grandparents
• Adult siblings (18+)
• Adult children (18+)

The key requirement is proving that your relative needs personal care that cannot reasonably be provided in their current country, even with financial help.

Adult Dependent Relative Visa Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an Adult Dependent Relative visa, the applicant must demonstrate that:

• They are the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son, or daughter of the UK-based sponsor
• Both the applicant and sponsor are aged 18 or over
• Due to age, illness, or disability, the applicant requires long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks (e.g. washing, dressing, cooking)
• The required care is unavailable or unaffordable in the applicant’s country of residence, even with financial support from the UK sponsor
• No other person can reasonably provide the required care abroad
• The applicant will be maintained, accommodated, and cared for in the UK without access to public funds
• A valid TB certificate is provided where required

The burden of proof rests entirely on the applicant. Strong, independent evidence is essential.

Meeting the Long-Term Personal Care Requirement

A core requirement of the Adult Dependent Relative visa is proving that the applicant needs ongoing, long-term personal care.

The Home Office expects:

• Independent medical evidence from a suitably qualified professional
• A clear diagnosis and prognosis
• Evidence that the condition is serious, chronic, and unlikely to improve
• Specific confirmation that the applicant cannot perform everyday tasks independently

Generic doctor’s letters or family statements are rarely sufficient. A detailed medical report addressing the Immigration Rules directly is often decisive.

Dependency Requirements Explained

Your relative must demonstrate they need long-term personal care due to:

• Age-related conditions (mobility issues, memory problems)
• Chronic illness (diabetes complications, heart conditions)
• Disability (physical or mental impairments affecting daily living)

Physical dependency means they struggle with basic tasks like washing, dressing, cooking, or moving around safely. Medical evidence from qualified professionals is essential here.

Financial dependency shows they rely on you for money and cannot afford adequate care in their home country, even with your continued financial support from the UK.

The Care Availability Test

This is where many applications fail. The Home Office will investigate whether suitable care exists in your relative’s current location, considering:

• Family members who could provide care
• Professional carers, nurses, or housekeepers
• Care homes or nursing facilities
• Local authority support services

Proving Lack of Adequate Care in the Home Country

Even where medical dependency is proven, many Adult Dependent Relative visa applications fail because applicants cannot show that care is unavailable or unaffordable overseas.

Applicants must demonstrate that:

• No suitable care facilities or home-care services exist, or
• Any available care is not financially accessible, even with UK support, or
• Care by third parties would be unreasonable due to medical or cultural factors

Acceptable evidence may include:

• Reports from care providers or hospitals confirming lack of services
• Country expert reports on healthcare infrastructure
• Evidence of costs compared to the sponsor’s financial means
• Statements from medical professionals explaining why third-party care is unsuitable

Personal assertions alone are not enough.

Financial Maintenance & the Sponsor’s Undertaking

The UK sponsor must show they can fully support the applicant without recourse to public funds.

Where the sponsor is British or settled, they must sign a legally binding five-year maintenance undertaking, confirming responsibility for:

• Living costs
• Accommodation
• Care needs

Evidence typically includes:

• Payslips and bank statements
• Employment or business records
• Proof of accommodation
• Savings or other lawful income

Failure to meet this requirement is a common ground for refusal.

Settlement and Leave Under the ADR Visa

• British or settled sponsors → Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILR) is usually granted
• Sponsors with limited leave (e.g. EUSS, refugee status) → Limited leave aligned with the sponsor’s status

Once settled, Adult Dependent Relatives may, in principle, be able to sponsor dependants, subject to the Immigration Rules.

Applying for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa from Outside the UK

The Adult Dependent Relative visa must be applied for from outside the UK.

Switching into the ADR route from within the UK is not permitted, regardless of existing immigration status.

Can You Apply for an ADR Visa from Inside the UK?

In limited cases, applicants may pursue leave to remain on human rights grounds under Article 8 ECHR, where refusal would cause unjustifiably harsh consequences.

Additionally, where an ADR application fails overseas, the Home Office may exercise discretion if refusal would breach Article 8.

These applications are legally complex and require expert representation.

Adult Dependent Relative Visa Fees & Processing Times (2026)

• Standard ADR visa fee (outside UK): £3,413

Additional costs may include:

• Medical expert reports
• Country evidence
• Property inspection reports

Processing time: Typically up to 12 weeks, though complex or human-rights-based cases may take longer.

What to Do After an ADR Visa Refusal

Following refusal, options may include:

• Appeal on human rights grounds (Article 8 ECHR)
• Submitting a fresh application with stronger evidence

The correct strategy depends on the refusal reasons and the strength of available evidence.

Sponsor Requirements for ADR

As the UK sponsor, you must be:

• A British or Irish citizen, OR
• Settled in the UK (holding indefinite leave), OR
• A refugee with protected status, OR
• An EU national with settled status

Step-by-Step Application Process

Before You Start

• Gather medical evidence – Independent reports from doctors confirming care needs
• Research local care options – Document why suitable care isn’t available locally
• Collect relationship proof – Birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers
• Prepare financial documentation – Pay slips, bank statements, tax returns

The Application Journey

Step 1: Online Application Complete the application through the official UKVI website. Take time with this – errors cause delays.

Step 2: Supporting Documents Upload comprehensive evidence including:

• Medical reports detailing care requirements
• Proof of relationship to sponsor
• Evidence that care cannot be provided locally
• Financial documentation showing adequate support
• Sponsor’s signed undertaking

Step 3: Biometric Appointment
Your relative will attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and photographs.

Step 4: Decision Waiting Applications from outside the UK typically take 12 weeks, while UK applications take around 8 weeks.

What Happens After Approval?

Rights and Privileges

Your relative can:

• Live permanently in the UK (often with immediate settlement)
• Work without restrictions in any job or profession
• Access NHS services through the healthcare surcharge
• Study at any educational institution
• Apply for British citizenship after meeting residency requirements

Important Restrictions

They cannot:

• Claim public funds (benefits, housing assistance, tax credits)
• Sponsor other family members until they become British citizens
• Travel extensively without affecting settlement applications

Path to British Citizenship

If granted settlement immediately, your relative can apply for citizenship after:

• 12 months holding indefinite leave to remain
• Passing the Life in the UK test
• Meeting English language requirements
• Demonstrating good character

Top Tips for Success

1. Start Early

Begin gathering evidence months before applying. Medical appointments and official documents take time to obtain.

2. Be Thorough with Medical Evidence

Multiple medical opinions strengthen your case. Include specialists, GPs, and care assessors where relevant.

3. Document Everything

Keep records of care research in the home country. Screenshot care home prices, document family circumstances, and maintain correspondence about care arrangements.

4. Consider Professional Help

This visa category has low success rates without proper legal guidance. Consider getting professional assistance, especially for complex cases.

5. Plan for the Long Term

Think about your relative’s needs over the next five years. Will their condition worsen? How will you manage care requirements?

Special Considerations for Different Relationships

Bringing Parents or Grandparents

This is the most common ADR application type. Focus on age-related care needs and the absence of other children who could provide care.

Adult Siblings

More challenging to prove dependency. Usually requires significant disability or mental health conditions preventing independent living.

Adult Children

Rare but possible for children with lifelong disabilities who’ve always been dependent on parents.

Couple Applications

If one parent qualifies, their spouse can often join them regardless of their own health status a rule reinstated in 2023.

Getting Professional Legal Help

Adult Dependent Relative applications require careful preparation and strong legal arguments. The success rate is low, but experienced immigration lawyers can significantly improve your chances by:

• Conducting thorough case assessments
• Gathering compelling medical evidence
• Addressing potential refusal reasons proactively
• Presenting persuasive legal arguments

Ready to start your Adult Dependent Relative visa application?

Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Our experienced immigration team at Deluxe Law Chambers has helped hundreds of families successfully bring their loved ones to the UK. We understand the complexities of ADR applications and know how to build winning cases.

Get your free consultation today Call us on 0161 464 4140 or  Book your appointment online

Your family deserves to be together. Let us help make that happen with expert legal guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.

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